Getting Ahead

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Hello fellow nurses!

I am 19, from Missouri, currently in community college getting my ADN, still in my pre-requisites and I am planning on entering the nursing field within a year! I was wondering if there were any ways to get ahead before starting nursing school?

I am planning on getting certified as a CNA and in phlebotomy before this year is over but my overall goal is to become a CRNA. There was also the possibilities of getting my BLS,ACLS and PALS before I even start nursing school. Would that be a good idea?

I know as a CRNA you need experience in ICU or Critical Care, majority of the time, before they can enroll in CRNA School but I was thinking about getting a CCRN Certification before CRNA School.

A little help, please?

As everyone said BLS is basic life support in other words a "CPR" class. If you just insisted on being BLS certified then there's nothing wrong with that..complete the course...it's only 8 hours :) and as for me choosing this field? Well lol I was brought up around nursing since age 14. My mother is a nurse, my dad is a nurse and my brother just graduated last year and he's a nurse. Then you have me :) i just always wanted to help people and hear their stories and where else would I get that opportunity? I am a level 3 soon to be level 4 student and at my school all that means is, is that I'm a senior and my last semester is August. Find a field that works for you because when I do my clinical rotations my preceptors (nurses who supervise you through your clinical shift) ask me all the time, "so what do you want to do?" I reply and say I don't know and I'll be graduating soon lol. So when you're in the program don't wait! But anyways, don't go in this field for money or anything other than first having a desire to do it. At my school a girl got through all 4 levels...passed NCLEX (exit exam to be a nurse) and then worked a month then realized...this isn't for her and she then changed careers. I hope this help and sorry if I babbled! I can understand why you ask these questions. I'm a little older than you but not by much so I know how excited you are!!

Good luck again!

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I'm starting school for my BSN next month so I have some advice prereq wise.

Here's some things to do...

1. Always shoot for an A in your prereqs

2. Stay on top of or why ahead of your work!

3. Be aware of deadline for the school you're applying for

4. When taking your entrance exam test, give yourself a month to study & take it a month before the deadline just in case you want to improve

5. Like the person earlier, don't do anything to jeopardize your future

If possible, I would say try to shoot for your BSN rather than ADN since a lot of hospitals prefer those with a BSN (well atleast in the Houston,TX area). CNA is a good start to get experience! Good luck & best wishes

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Thanks! It's odd that you mention this because I have many friends that have been involved in these extracurricular activities but as for myself, I have never been involved in any sort of way. I really am planning on getting my CNA certification soon and hopefully I will be able to find a job as a student!

How would you feel about getting certified in phlebotomy? Is it necessary?

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You're not babbling at all! I am honestly trying to get the gist of everything related to nurses! I don't blame you though! As young as I am, I may pick up interests in other areas while in school but I am trying to focus on one path!

I also thought about something IT or Business related while in community college but I don't think it would help me in the long run if I wanted to pursue nursing.

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Thanks! It's odd that you mention this because I have many friends that have been involved in these extracurricular activities but as for myself, I have never been involved in any sort of way. I really am planning on getting my CNA certification soon and hopefully I will be able to find a job as a student!

How would you feel about getting certified in phlebotomy? Is it necessary?

I don't think it would matter bc they will teach you that stuff in nursing school. I'm 19 years old too. As for me, I don't have any experience as a nurse except that I go to my mom's job as a school nurse and job shadow& help her. In my application,I mentioned that and I also job shadowed an OT, PT and speech pathologist. I said it helped me understand patient care in a different environment. It depends on the school you're applying to and what they look at. I would say maybe volunteer, get your CNA, maybe try to job shadow a nurse

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You're not babbling at all! I am honestly trying to get the gist of everything related to nurses! I don't blame you though! As young as I am, I may pick up interests in other areas while in school but I am trying to focus on one path!

I also thought about something IT or Business related while in community college but I don't think it would help me in the long run if I wanted to pursue nursing.

I think it would set you back a semester ( it's a semester long course at my college)

But at my nursing school we aren't allowed to draw blood or insert IVs, so if your school has a similar policy, it won't help you at all.

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I have actually been told by my cousin who is in her clinical becoming a Nurse Practitioner that shadowing would be a wonderful way to show growth and willing to learn from observation! Thanks! (:

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As a CNA, do you ever to get draw blood or insert IV's? If yes, in what type of facility or environment?

The only reason I thought about getting certified in phlebotomy because I thought it would look great on a resume if I eventually applied to work as CNA in hospital, if possible, that it would help get my foot in the door!

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
As a CNA, do you ever to get draw blood or insert IV's? If yes, in what type of facility or environment?

The only reason I thought about getting certified in phlebotomy because I thought it would look great on a resume if I eventually applied to work as CNA in hospital, if possible, that it would help get my foot in the door!

I'm an ER Tech. I draw blood, place Foley catheters, splint broken bones, perform chest compressions in codes, and many other tasks in the emergency department.

I was a CNA, I didn't renew it because it's not required for my job. They only hire nursing students and EMT Basics.

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I'm an ER Tech. I draw blood, place Foley catheters, splint broken bones, perform chest compressions in codes, and many other tasks in the emergency department.

I was a CNA, I didn't renew it because it's not required for my job. They only hire nursing students and EMT Basics.

What about becoming a PCT? Would that be better?

I know that a PCT in Missouri isn't certified like a CNA would be but I am getting a grant to use at one program to go towards my in-experience for job training in my career and I am debating between CNA or PCT!

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